Proverbs 8:12-21 12. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 13. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21. That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Verse 12 - I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

[A] Wisdom here is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. It is the word of God, the whole compass of divine revelation; it is God the Word, in whom all divine revelation centers; it is the soul formed by the word; it is Christ formed in the soul; it is religion in the purity and power of it. Glorious things are here spoken of this excellent person, this excellent thing. (Reading from Matthew Henry’s Commentary) [1] As we have discussed in the past, True wisdom comes from God, [2] We will be looking at this passage this evening as if God/Christ is speaking it.

[B] Wisdom dwells with prudence [1] What is prudence? [a] To be prudent means [1-a] To have good sense: having good sense in dealing with practical matters [2-a] To carefully considering consequences: using good judgment to consider any consequences and act accordingly [3-a] To be careful in managing resources so as to provide for the future [b] Prudence than would be the act of doing these things [2] Godly wisdom gives us the knowledge to know right from wrong, and to make good decisions in our life, and to determine when things are right or if they be some witty invention

Verse 13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate.

[A] The fear of the LORD [1] Knowledge of God and his wisdom creates in a reverence for him in our heart [2] Wisdom teaches us to fear him, and show him respect and awe, for he is God, ruler, creator, sustainer, and King. [3] Wisdom teaches us that we are servants, serving a living God, and without him, we are lost.

[B] Knowing God, and fearing him - that is to know that we must please him and follow him, looking to him reverently as our Father and Lord, should create in us several things, those same things that God feels: [1] Even as God hates evil, we too should hate evil [a] We are not to hate the evil doer, we must love them, or we cannot help them overcome evil [b] We should hate evil, all evil - the sin, and the one behind it, Satan [c] The hatred of evil should be in our heart, even as God is in our heart, so that we will not allow ourselves to commit evil [2] Even as God hates pride, we too should hate it [a] Pride is the root cause of much of the sinful thing man does [b] Pride takes our eyes off of God, and centers them on ourselves [c] Because God hates pride, we too should hate pride, instead we should become a humble servant before God and man [3] Even as God hates arrogancy, we too should hate it [a] Pride is the root of arrogancy. [b] At arrogant man cannot lower himself to become a servant to God or man [c] With wisdom in one’s heart, one knows that they are nothing, but God is everything, [4] Even as God hates the evil way we too should hate it [a] Evil is running amuck in the world today [b] God hates evil, but he still loves the evil doer [c] Our hatred for evil should be so that we stay away from all evil, and keep our mind and body free of evil things. [5] Even as God hates the forward mouth we too should hate it [1] God hates the forward mouth because it caused such a burden on others as words are spoken, lies are told, and gossip is spread. [2] The spoken word can do one of two things, it can heal or it can kill [3] In our heart we should always strive to say only the soothing words that can heal a broken heart, and we should hate words that hurt

Verse 14 - Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

[A] Counsel is mine [1] All knowledge as to how to live one’s life must come from Godly counsel [2] Ungodly counsel leads a person down the road to destruction [3] Where does one receive this godly counsel?

[B] And sound wisdom [1] Far too many folks today are seeking wisdom from the secular community instead of turning to God and seeking his face [2] Seeking Godly wisdom, or an answer from God, sometimes requires one to wait upon the Lord [a] OF all the thing God requires of us, waiting is one of the hardest to do [b] We are an instant society, and desire to get our answers quickly [c] Instead of waiting on God we turn to the secular community or to self, and we get ourselves into trouble [d] Instead of studying bible and seeking answers, we read self help books and turn to secular counselors

[C] I am understanding [1] Understanding comes from God, through the Holy Spirit [2] If anyone seeks understanding or wisdom, they are to ask God for it, believing in faith they will receive it, and it will come

[D] God is our strength [1] Where can we turn in times of trouble - to God [2] What brings us comfort when we need it - God [3] The wisdom and fear of God is where our strength comes from

Verses 15-16 - By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

[A] Every wise and prudent ruler, follows the wisdom of God

[B] An unwise ruler, follows the wisdom of his worldly advisors [1] It is unfortunate today that far too many of our elected officials follow the advise and wisdom of the world instead of seeking Godly wisdom from God and Godly men [2] As a result, the world is in a terrible fix, and getting worse all the time

[C] Romans 13:1 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

[1] According to Romans it is God who places into power those who are in power [2] Those who are placed into power are responsible to God to use that power in a Godly Manor - if it is used in the wrong way, the leader will have to answer to God [a] By God kings reign, and princes decree justice. [b] By God princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

Verse 17 - I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

[A] I love them that love me [1] Wisdom, God, loves them that love him [2] This is a very interesting statement. It goes along with believing on the only begotten son of God, If you believe in him, you will love him, and if you love him, he will love you and give you eternal lif [3] When A body embraces the wisdom of God, God gives them more wisdom

[B] Those that seek me early shall find me. [1] The earlier a person begins seeking God, and the wisdom of God [2] It is important that we instill in children the wisdom of God at an early age, and that we teach them to seek wisdom from God with all their heart [3] Those who seek wisdom from God early will find him [4] The bible teaches that we should draw neigh to God and he will draw neigh to us, the sooner a child learns to do this, the better off they will be.

[A] What can one say about this [1] The things of God are better than Gold [2] What is better than the knowledge of God and knowing everything is OK? [3] What is better than having God as your friend?

Verse 20 - I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

[A] Only wisdom knows how to walk through the paths of judgment

[B] Only wisdom can lead you down the path of righteousness, and keep you on the narrow path

[C] Without Godly wisdom, one is lost and on their way to an eternal hell

Verse 21 - That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

[A] Here we find what I was alluding to earlier [1] Only the wise in God will gain eternal substance as their inheritance in heaven [2] Only the wise will be give the treasures that are laid up for the believer [3] Only the wise in God will make it, all others will be cast aside